ISARC's new tractor to aid precise weeding of rice fields
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Varanasi: Scientists at the International Rice Research Institute - South Asia Regional Centre (ISARC) have developed a tractor-operated dry and wet land weeder that can be operated using narrow wheels on any tractor, ensuring rice plants remain undisturbed while enabling precise weeding.
They conducted the first successful demonstration on Tuesday in farmers' direct-seeded rice (DSR) fields in Paniyara village of Varanasi district. According to IRRI scientist R K Malik, weed control using the newly developed tractor-operated weeder requires fitting the tractor with specially designed narrow wheels, ensuring safe operation between the rice rows. Spacing between the rows is maintained at 25cms during sowing.
The weeder delivers optimal results when used 25 to 30 days after sowing, suppressing weed growth. The tractor can easily cover 1 acre land in approximately one hour. Being lightweight machinery, the machine removes weeds effectively even in low-moisture soils, saving labour and improving quality of the soil. The technology not only enhances efficiency and sustainability of DSR cultivation but also helps address the issue of limited labour availability.
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Additionally, IRRI scientist Rabe Yahaya explained that timely mechanical weeding provides effective weed control in DSR fields, reducing dependence on chemical herbicides and lowering overall cultivation costs.
He said that because of climate change and irregular rainfall patterns, paddy farmers continue to face significant challenges. Traditional methods keep farmers dependent on monsoon and require excessive water and labour, resulting in higher production costs. In contrast, adopting direct-seeded rice techniques is helping farmers reduce input expenses and achieve better profitability. For Kharif 2025 season, ISARC conducted cluster demonstrations of DSR across more than 500 acres in eight districts of eastern UP.
Weed management plays crucial role in success of direct-seeded rice farming. In the absence of proper weed management, excessive weed growth can negatively impact crop yields.
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